This afternoon you will travel south-east, heading to Westernport Bay. The route will take you through many of Melbourne’s affluent suburbs where you will see tree lined streets and beautiful homes, many built in the late 1800s. As the South Gippsland Highway approaches the landscape becomes more rural dotted with smaller townships and farming properties.
Maru Koala & Animal Park
First stop is Maru Koala & Animal Park for up close and personal encounters with koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils and much more!
Phillip Island
You’ll cross the only bridge that connects Phillip Island to the mainland. Home to the famous Penguin Parade, Phillip Island also features a stunning coastline with great surf conditions and a range of wildlife including the largest colony of fur seals in Australia. It is also the location of our Motorcycle Grand Prix track, so it’s no wonder this island paradise attracts up to 3½ million visitors each year.
Nobbies Rock Formations
Before reaching the site of the Penguin Parade you’ll see the ‘Nobbies’, so named for its unique rock formations. Located at the western tip of the island, this area has high conservation significance due to its population of penguins and graceful sea birds.
Penguin Parade
So you think the koalas are cute – just wait until you see the Little Penguins. After visiting the information centre and souvenir shop, you will head down to Summerland Beach to witness some penguin magic. Just as the sun sets, the wild Little Penguins emerge from the sea after a hard days fishing and waddle across the sand to their dune burrows. These Little Penguins are the smallest of the penguin species and Phillip Island is home to the largest colony in the world. It’s easy to understand why this wonderful spectacle is one of Australia’s most popular wildlife attractions. To protect these Little Penguins, all revenue generated from the parade is invested into environment and education projects.
Platform Upgrade
From your upgraded viewing platform you are placed in the heart of ‘penguin central’ where a Local Guide is on hand to tell you all about these gorgeous little creatures and their lifestyle.
• Visit Maru Koala & Animal Park, for up close and personal encounters with koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils and much more
• Enjoy the opportunity to pat and feed wallabies, kangaroos, and a host of Australian wildlife
• Have your photo taken with a koala as a memento of your experience (own expense)
• View spectacular coastal scenery at the Nobbies - two rocky outcrops abundant in marine life
• Take your time exploring the educational Phillip Island's Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, learning about the Little Penguins
• Afterwards, head down to Summerland Beach to witness penguin magic
• As the sun sets, watch the wild Little Penguins emerge from the sea after a hard day's fishing and waddle across the sand to their dune burrows
• See the Little Penguins up close as they return to their nests to greet their young families
• View the powerful southern coastline with its clean, sandy beaches and rocky shores